Geelong will be serving up the action on and off the courts when it hosts the Australian Open of Table Tennis in July.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren joined Member for Geelong Christine Couzens and table tennis champion Wade Townsend at Geelong Arena to make the announcement and promote the upcoming world tournament.
The Australian Open of Table Tennis is one of six platinum series events of the World Tour of the International Table Tennis Federation.
More than 180 athletes from over 20 countries will converge to Geelong – including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Germany and France – competing for $400,000 in prize money in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
The event is expected to draw thousands of spectators to Geelong and the surrounding region and will be broadcast to more than 80 countries, with over 100 million viewers expected in China alone.
The Australian Open of Table Tennis will host two community days on the 26 and 27 July, aiming to engage with primary school kids and people with a disability.
The Andrews Labor Government secured the tournament thanks to funding from the Regional Events Fund.
The fund supports major events like the Festival of Sails, Queenscliff Music Festival and the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival, all of which showcase this region to the world – backing local jobs and boosting local businesses.
The latest national visitor data shows that more domestic visitors are flocking to regional Victoria than ever before, and events like these are cited as a big driver.
That is why the Labor Government will continue working closely with Visit Victoria to secure the events that attract visitors to our regions and keep local traders and tourism operators busy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren
“The Australian Open of Table Tennis is a major drawcard on our enviable sporting calendar – shining the international spotlight on Geelong and attracting more visitors to our region.”
“Our Aussies are in great shape ahead of the grand slam of table tennis with the likes of Wade Townsend, Melissa Tapper and their team mates. We wish them all the best come July.”
Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
“We’re proud to call the Australian Open of Table Tennis home – providing fans with another reason to travel to Geelong and give our local businesses and economy a real boost.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020